Retail packaging system

ABSTRACT

A retail packaging system includes an electronic device case and a packaging box for enclosing and displaying the electronic device case. The packaging box includes a bottom cover and a top cover pivotally coupled to the bottom cover. A pedestal is positioned at least partially within the bottom cover and supports the electronic device case, and a hinge is coupled to the pedestal and the top cover such that the pedestal lifts the electronic device case relative to the bottom cover as the packaging box is opened into a display position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.61/896,306, filed Oct. 28, 2013, the entire contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to retail packaging systems for consumerproducts such as, for example, tablet computer cases.

Retailers typically desire packaging that not only helps sell a product,but also keeps the product from being easily taken out of the packaging.Retailers also prefer packaging that is easy to re-merchandise (i.e.,place the product/package back on a shelf and have it look the same).

Consumers, on the other hand, typically desire packaging that allowsthem to touch, feel, and completely experience a product. Consumers alsoprefer packaging that feels and looks of premium quality.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the invention provides a retail packaging systemincluding an electronic device case and a packaging box for enclosingand displaying the electronic device case. The packaging box includes abottom cover, a top cover pivotally coupled to the bottom cover, apedestal positioned at least partially within the bottom cover, thepedestal supporting the electronic device case, and a hinge coupled tothe pedestal and the top cover such that the pedestal lifts theelectronic device case relative to the bottom cover as the packaging boxis opened into a display position.

In another aspect, the invention provides a method of displaying anelectronic device case in a packaging box. The packaging box includes abottom cover, a top cover pivotally coupled to the bottom cover, apedestal positioned at least partially above the bottom cover, and ahinge coupled to the top cover and the pedestal. The method includespositioning the electronic device case on the pedestal; storing theelectronic device case within the packaging box while the packaging boxis in a storage position; opening the packaging box to a displayposition; and lifting the electronic device case relative to the bottomcover with the pedestal as packaging box is opened to the displayposition.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration ofthe detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a retail packaging systemembodying the invention, the system including a packaging box in adisplay position and an electronic device case in an open position.

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the retail packaging system ofFIG. 1 with the packaging box in the display position and the electronicdevice case in a closed position.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the packaging box of FIG. 1 whilein the display position.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the packaging box of FIG. 1 while in astorage position.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the packaging box of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the packaging box of FIG. 1 whilein the display position.

FIGS. 7A-B are side cross-sectional views of the packaging box of FIG.1, illustrating a pedestal in a lowered position and the packaging boxin the storage position.

FIGS. 8A-B are side cross-sectional views of the packaging box of FIG.1, illustrating the pedestal moving from the lowered position to araised position while the packaging box is moving from the storageposition to the display position.

FIGS. 9A-B are side cross-sectional views of the packaging box of FIG.1, illustrating the pedestal in the raised position and the packagingbox in the display position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and the arrangement of components set forthin the following description or illustrated in the following drawings.The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orof being carried out in various ways.

FIGS. 1-2 illustrate a retail packaging system 10 for enclosing anddisplaying a consumer product or electronic device case in a retailsetting. The system 10 includes a packaging box 12 and an electronicdevice case 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the packaging box 12 isconfigured to enclose and display a keyfolio or tablet computer case 14.In other embodiments, the packaging box 12 may be configured to encloseother types of products such as, for example, smartphone cases, e-readercases, mp3 player cases, etc. The illustrated packaging box 12 is madeof a relatively rigid paper material, such as cardboard or cardstock.However, the packaging box 12 may alternatively be made of othermaterials, such as plastic, metal, or a combination of materials.

The illustrated packaging box 12 is assembled from various pre-cut covermaterials that form portions of the box 12, which includes a top cover18, a bottom cover 22, a first hinge 26, and a pedestal 28 (FIG. 5). Thetop and bottom covers 18, 22 cooperate together to support and enclosethe tablet computer case 14. The top and bottom covers 18, 22 arecoupled together by the first hinge 26, which allows the top cover 18 topivot open relative to the bottom cover 22 from a storage position (FIG.4) into a display position (FIGS. 1-3). As shown in FIG. 4, while thebox 12 is in the storage position, the box 12 is closed such that thetop cover 18 covers the bottom cover 22, and the case 14 is enclosedwithin the box 12. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, while the box 12 is in thedisplay position, the box 12 is open such that the top cover 18 and thebottom cover 22 are positioned generally side-by-side and the case 14 isviewable by a user. In both positions, the top cover 18 remainsconnected to the bottom cover 22 via the first hinge 26. In theillustrated embodiment, the first hinge 26 includes a strip of rigidpaper material that is secured (e.g., glued) to the top and bottomcovers 18, 22. In other embodiments, the first hinge 26 may be coupledto the top and bottom covers 18, 22 using other suitable securing means,or may be integral with the top cover 18 and/or the bottom cover 22.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the top cover 18 and the bottom cover 22 eachinclude a base 30, 32 having an inner surface 34, 36, respectively. Thecovers 18, 22 also include side walls 38, 40 extending from thecorresponding bases 30, 32. The bases 30, 32 and the sidewalls 38, 40define upper and lower chambers 42, 44 that are sized for receiving thecase 14. The bottom cover 22 further includes a tab sheet 46 with aplurality of support tabs 50. The tab sheet 46 is attached (e.g., glued)to the inner surface 36 of the bottom cover 22 and is described in moredetail below.

In reference to FIGS. 1-2 the pedestal 28 supports the tablet computercase 14 and is positioned partially above the base 32 of the bottomcover 22. The pedestal 28 is configured to move vertically from alowered position (FIG. 7A), in which the supported case 14 is containedwithin the lower chamber 44 of the bottom cover 22, to a raised position(FIG. 9A), in which the supported case 14 is lifted at least partiallyabove the side walls 40 of the bottom cover 22 and at least partiallyout of the lower chamber 44. The pedestal 28 is tied to the upper cover18 such that the pedestal 28 automatically moves to the raised positionwhen the upper cover 18 is moved to the display position, andautomatically moves back to the lowered position when the cover 18 ismoved to the storage position. In some embodiments, the case 14 islifted completely above the side walls 40 of the bottom cover 22 and iscompletely outside the lower chamber 44 when the pedestal 28 is in theraised position. In other embodiments, the case 14 may be lifted suchthat a portion of the case 14 remains within the lower chamber 44 (i.e.,beneath the upper edges of the side walls 40). Lifting the case 14 atleast partially out of the lower chamber 44 allows the computer case 14to be viewed from all sides. In addition, such an arrangement allows thecomputer case 14 to be manipulated (e.g., tested, articulated, opened,closed, etc.) without removing the case 14 from the packaging box 12, asshown in FIGS. 1-2. While the computer case 14 is in a closed position(FIG. 2), the encased electronic device is not viewable and the keyboard86 is not touchable by a user. While the computer case 14 is in an openposition (FIG. 1), the encased electronic device is viewable by a userand at least a portion of the keyboard 86 is touchable by the user (FIG.1).

As shown in FIG. 5, the illustrated pedestal 28 includes an upper flap54 coupled (e.g., glued) to the inner surface 34 of the top cover 18, alower flap 58 coupled (e.g., glued) to the support tabs 50 of the tabsheet 46, and a second hinge 62 extending between the upper and lowerflaps 54, 58. As the top cover 18 is opened relative to the bottom cover22, the upper flap 54 pulls the second hinge 62 to lift the pedestal 28relative to the base 32 and the inner surface 36 of the bottom cover 22.The pedestal 28, thereby, lifts the tablet computer case 14 relative toand out of the bottom cover 22. The upper flap 54 is substantiallyplanar and sits generally flush or parallel with the inner surface 34 ofthe top cover 18. The upper flap 54 is illustrated having dimensionscorresponding to the inner surface 34 and covering the entire surface34; however, the upper flap 54 could also be formed to cover only aportion of the surface 34. The lower flap 58 is also substantiallyplanar and is dimensioned to correspond with the shape and size of thecase 14. However, the lower flap 58 could be formed with alternativedimensions. In some embodiments, the pedestal 28 may also includeseparate pieces secured together to form the entire pedestal 28.

The support tabs 50 are formed as part of the tab sheet 46 and arelocated adjacent the inner surface 36 of the bottom cover 22. Thesupport tabs 50, unlike the remainder of the tab sheet 46, are notattached (e.g., glued) to the inner surface 36 of the bottom cover 22.Instead, the supports tabs 50 are cutout or punched-out portions of thesheet 46 that are movable relative to the remainder of the sheet 46.Each support tab 50 includes one or more hinges or fold lines 66 thatallow the tabs 50 to move (e.g., bend) relative to the rest of the sheet46. In particular, each tab 50 is movable from a flush position (FIG.7A) to a folded or extended position (FIGS. 5 and 9A) to extend upwardfrom the bottom cover 22 while engaging the lower flap 58 of thepedestal 28. While the support tabs 50 are in the flush position, thetabs 50 rest generally parallel with the remainder of the tab sheet 46and lay substantially flat within the bottom cover 22. While the supporttabs 50 are in the folded or extended position, the tabs 50 extendupward to form an angle between the support tabs 50 and the remainder ofthe tab sheet 46 and are no longer substantially flat. The support tabs50 guide and support the pedestal 28 when the top cover 18 is opened tohelp lift the pedestal 28 and the tablet computer case 14 relative tothe bottom cover 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom cover 22includes three support tabs 50. In other embodiments, the bottom cover22 may include fewer or more support tabs 50.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, the packaging box 12 further includes asecurement member 74. The securement member 74 captures a portion of thetablet computer case 14 between the securement member 74 and thepedestal 28 to hold down or secure the case 14 to the pedestal 28. Insome embodiments, the securement member 74 is configured such that thetablet computer case 14 is not removable from the packaging box 12without disassembling portions of the box 12. The securement member 74,however, is unobtrusive so that a user can still view and manipulate thecomputer case 14 without removing the case 14 from the box 12. In theillustrated embodiment, the securement member 74 includes a transparentplastic sheet of, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

As shown in FIG. 1, the securement member 74 extends over a base portion78 of the computer case 14 and wraps around a portion of the pedestal28. The securement member 78 is secured (e.g., glued) to a bottomsurface 82 of the pedestal 28. In such embodiments, a keyboard 86 on thebase portion 78 of the computer case 14 is sandwiched between thesecurement member 74 and the pedestal 28, yet still accessible. Theillustrated securement member 74 defines an aperture 90 that allows auser to directly touch or interact with the keyboard 86. For example,the aperture 90 allows a user to press and/or articulate some of thekeys on the keyboard 86 to evaluate their tactile feedback (i.e., forceneeded to actuate, springiness, etc.). In other embodiments, theaperture 90 may be omitted. Additionally or alternatively, other typesof securement members (e.g., clips, ties, magnets, etc.) may be used tohold the case 14 on the pedestal 28.

The packaging box 12 also includes a pull tab 94 attached to andextending from the bottom cover 22. In other embodiments, the pull tab29 may be attached to and extend from the top cover 18. The pull tab 94is made from, for example, a fabric material that can easily be grabbedby a user. The pull tab 94 facilitates separating the top cover 18 fromthe bottom cover 22 while opening the packaging box 12 by holding thepull tab 94 when opening the top cover 18.

In some embodiments, the packaging box 12 may include a handle extendingfrom one of the top cover 18 and the bottom cover 22. The handle may be,for example, a fabric strap extending from a side of one of the covers18, 22, which is graspable by a user for carrying the box 12. The handlemay also facilitate separating the top cover 18 from the bottom cover 22while open the packaging box 12.

In some embodiments, the packaging box 12 may further include a magneticclosure. In such embodiments, one of the top cover 18 and the bottomcover 22 may include an embedded magnet, and the other of the top cover18 and the bottom cover 22 may include an embedded metal plate. Themagnet may engage the metal plate when the packaging box 12 is closed toinhibit unintentional opening of the box 12.

In operation, a user may open and close the box 12 while the tabletcomputer case 14 is on the pedestal 28, as shown in FIGS. 7-9.Initially, the packaging box 12 is closed (i.e., in the storageposition), as shown in FIGS. 7A-7B. To open the box 12, the user firstgrasps the pull tab 94 and rotates the top cover 18 away from the bottomcover 22. As the top cover 18 rotates away from the bottom cover 22, thepedestal 28 and the case 14 begin to rise due to the movement of thesecond hinge 62 pulling the lower flap 58 of the pedestal 28, as shownin FIGS. 8A-8B. Further, the support tabs 50 begin to fold and extendaway from the bottom cover 22. In the illustrated embodiment, the secondhinge 62 and the supports tabs 50 are configured to help the pedestal 28rise generally linearly (e.g., vertically as shown in FIG. 8A) so thatthe lower flap 58 of the pedestal 28 remains generally parallel to theinner surface 32 of the bottom cover 22 as the pedestal 28 moves fromthe lowered position to the raised position. The user continues torotate the top cover 18 relative to the bottom cover 22 until the box 12is in the display position, as shown in FIGS. 9A-9B.

Once the box 12 is in the display position, the user is free to view ormanipulate the computer case 14 without removing the case 14 from thebox 12. For example, the user can manipulate the case 14 from the closedposition (FIG. 2) to the open position (FIG. 1). In addition, onceopened, the user can manipulate at least a portion of the keyboardand/or adjust the viewing angle of the case 14.

When a user wishes to close the box 12, the user will grasp the topcover 18 and rotate the cover 18 toward the bottom cover 22. As the topcover 18 approaches the bottom cover 22, the pedestal 28 and the case 14will lower, and the support tabs 50 will begin to unfold. The pedestal28 lowers due to a pushing force from the second hinge 62 and the weightof the computer case 14. Once the top cover 18 is fully closed and thebox 12 is in the storage position, the case 14 is enclosed within thebox 12 and protected from unwanted damage.

The retail packaging system 10 is, therefore, designed to allow a userto repeatedly open and close the packaging box 12 and manipulate theelectronic device case 14 without requiring a retailer to repackage thesystem 10 after each use.

Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A retail packaging system comprising: anelectronic device case; and a packaging box for enclosing and displayingthe electronic device case, the packaging box including a bottom cover,a top cover pivotally coupled to the bottom cover, a pedestalpositionable at least partially within the bottom cover, the pedestalsupporting the electronic device case, and a hinge coupled to thepedestal and the top cover such that the pedestal lifts the electronicdevice case relative to the bottom cover as the packaging box is openedinto a display position.
 2. The retail packaging system of claim 1,wherein the electronic device case is manipulatable by a user while thepackaging box is in the display position without removing the electronicdevice case from the packaging box.
 3. The retail packaging system ofclaim 2, wherein the electronic device case is openable and closeablewhile the packaging box is in the display position.
 4. The retailpackaging system of claim 1, wherein the packaging box further includesa securement member coupled to the pedestal, and wherein the securementmember secures the electronic device case to the pedestal.
 5. The retailpackaging system of claim 4, wherein the securement member captures aportion of the electronic device case between the securement member andthe pedestal to hold down the electronic device case.
 6. The retailpackaging system of claim 5, wherein the portion of the electronicdevice includes a keyboard, and wherein the securement member extendsacross and holds the keyboard against the pedestal.
 7. The retailpackaging system of claim 6, wherein the securement member defines anaperture to allow a user to directly touch the keyboard.
 8. The retailpackaging system of claim 4, wherein the securement member includes atransparent plastic sheet.
 9. The retail packaging system of claim 1,wherein the packaging box is moveable from a storage position into thedisplay position, and wherein the pedestal is moveable from a loweredposition into a raised position.
 10. The retail packaging system ofclaim 9, wherein the pedestal is disposed above an upper edge of thebottom cover while in the raised position.
 11. The retail packagingsystem of claim 1, wherein the bottom cover includes a plurality ofsupport tabs that support the pedestal above an inner surface of thebottom cover.
 12. The retail packaging system of claim 11, wherein eachsupport tab includes at least one hinge that allows the support tab tomove from a flush position while the packaging box is in a storageposition to a folded position while the packaging box is in the displayposition.
 13. The retail packaging system of claim 1, further comprisinga pull tab extending from one of the top cover and the bottom cover tofacilitate opening the packaging box.
 14. A method of displaying anelectronic device case in a packaging box, the packaging box including abottom cover, a top cover pivotally coupled to the bottom cover, apedestal positionable at least partially above the bottom cover, and ahinge coupled to the top cover and the pedestal, the method comprising:positioning the electronic device case on the pedestal; storing theelectronic device case within the packaging box while the packaging boxis in a storage position; opening the packaging box to a displayposition; and lifting the electronic device case relative to the bottomcover with the pedestal as packaging box is opened to the displayposition.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising manipulatingthe electronic device case while the packaging box is in the displayposition without removing the electronic device case from the packagingbox.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein manipulating the electronicdevice case includes opening and closing the electronic device case. 17.The method of claim 14, wherein the packaging box includes a securementmember coupled to the pedestal, and further comprising securing theelectronic device case to the pedestal with the securement member. 18.The method of claim 17, wherein the securement member includes atransparent plastic sheet, and wherein securing the electronic devicecase to the pedestal includes capturing a portion of the electronicdevice case between the securement member and the pedestal to hold downthe electronic device case.
 19. The method of claim 14, furthercomprising supporting the electronic device case on the pedestal abovean upper edge of the bottom cover while the packaging box is opened tothe display position.
 20. The method of claim 14, wherein the packagingbox includes a pull tab extending from one of the top cover and thebottom cover, and wherein opening the packaging box includes graspingthe pull tab.